Empowering Communities Through Food Assistance

The Children’s Table is a nonprofit food bank dedicated to fighting hunger and supporting families across North Central Florida. Founded in 1996 by Verna and Bill Brown, what began as sharing produce from a home garden has grown into a vital resource serving thousands of individuals and families each year.

Our mission is simple: ensure that no child or family goes hungry. We do this by providing consistent access to nutritious food, offering education and resources that promote self-sufficiency, and responding quickly when communities face hardship.

Each week, our volunteers and staff work together to distribute food to families throughout rural areas with limited access to support services. We also extend our reach beyond regular distributions by providing disaster relief following hurricanes and other emergencies in Florida and neighboring states—when families need help most.

At the heart of our work is a strong belief in community. We rely on volunteers, donors, and local partners to make our programs possible, and we are committed to meeting people where they are, with dignity and compassion. Through sustainable practices, education initiatives, and long-term support, The Children’s Table continues to grow with the goal of creating healthier, more food-secure communities.

At 97 years old, co-founder Bill Brown remains actively involved in the organization, continuing the mission he and Verna began nearly three decades ago: ensuring that no child or family goes hungry. Their hands-on approach and deep roots in the community continue to shape the values and direction of The Children’s Table today.

Our History

Founded in 1996 by Bill and Verna Brown, The Children’s Table began with a simple garden and a deep commitment to helping others. Bill—affectionately known throughout the community as “Mr. Bill”—shared the produce he grew with neighbors in need, believing that no one should go without food if he had something to give.

As a foster parent, Bill’s compassion and dedication to families drew the attention of the Florida Department of Children and Families, which encouraged him to expand his efforts to serve more children and families. What started as a small, personal act of generosity soon grew into an organized response to hunger—rooted in dignity, consistency, and community care.

Today, The Children’s Table serves more than 110,000 people annually, including 56,000 children, and provided over 2.2 million meals in 2025 alone. While the organization has grown significantly, it remains grounded in the same values that inspired its founding: neighbors helping neighbors, meeting people where they are, and ensuring no one is turned away hungry.

We are proud of our history and grateful to the volunteers, partners, and supporters who continue to help carry this mission forward.

Our Beliefs

At The Children’s Table Food Bank, our beliefs are the foundation of everything we do. We believe in the power of community, compassion, and collaboration. These principles drive our commitment to ensuring that no one goes hungry. Our unwavering dedication to serving others, our proactive approach to disaster relief, and our focus on providing nutrition education are all rooted in these core beliefs. We believe that by working together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity. It is these beliefs that guide us as we continue to fight hunger and provide essential assistance to communities across Florida.